Tom Ellis heads back to primetime: CBS sets CIA for February 23, 2026
If you've missed that wry grin from Lucifer nights, good news: your Monday plans are back. Tom Ellis (movies and tv series) is returning to broadcast TV, and CBS is handing him the keys to a brand-new series called CIA.
The show is part of Dick Wolf (movies and tv series)'s FBI franchise, which tells you the vibe right away: fast cases, tough calls, and a pair of leads who don't see the world the same way. Ellis stars alongside Nick Gehlfuss (movies and tv series) (yep, from Chicago Med). And the date's locked: CIA premieres Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
Here's the setup. Ellis plays a CIA officer; Gehlfuss is the FBI agent he has to work with in New York City. One's by-the-book, the other trusts his gut. You can probably hear the arguments already - and that's the point.
The franchise teased it on Instagram on November 17 with a clean pitch: "Meet the duo redefining the rules." Simple. Confident. Like they know we're already leaning in.
Fans? Loud. "Welcome to the Wolf pack, Tom Ellis," one wrote, while another just went full caps: "AHHHHH I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS." Honestly, that tracks. Ellis hasn't been on primetime broadcast since Lucifer aired on Fox before the series shifted to Netflix, and people have been waiting for a weekly fix.
He hasn't been idle - you might've caught him in Tell Me Lies or Washington Black - but this is different. Weekly network slot. Big franchise backing. A partner dynamic that sounds tailor-made for sparring and reluctant respect.
Quick facts
- Title: CIA
- Premiere: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Network: CBS
- Franchise: FBI (from Dick Wolf)
- Leads: Tom Ellis (CIA officer), Nick Gehlfuss (FBI agent)
- Setting: New York City
- Hook: By-the-book vs. off-the-cuff partnership
Here's what this could mean. If the chemistry lands, CBS has another dependable 10 p.m. anchor, and Ellis gets a role that lets him flex the charm fans loved in Lucifer without repeating it beat for beat. If it stumbles, it'll be because the cases feel familiar or the push-pull between agencies turns into noise.
But that premiere date? It tells you they want room to launch it right. We'll keep an eye out for the first full trailer and episode list as CBS rolls them out.
Want the official word and updates straight from the source? Check the CBS series page. And for the original series pickup news, Deadline has the breakdown here.
For now, mark the date. New partners, new rules, Monday nights.
